ROCK HALL DEFENDS THEIR POSITION ON KISS, CEO JOEL PRESSMAN SAYS SINGER AND THAYER “TOOK ON PERSONAS CREATED BY ACE AND PETER”

With the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony looming closer, neither KISS nor the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation seem ready to relax the entrenched positions that led to the group’s decision not to perform April 10th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

KISS, according to frontman Paul Stanley, is upset that the Rock Hall plans to induct only the group’s founding lineup and tells Billboard that discussions about subsequent members “was shut down as a non-starter.”

Nevertheless, Stanley says KISS feels that honoring the other six musicians who have played in the band is “a very valid argument considering that there are people who played on multi-platinum albums and played for millions of people and were very important for the continuation of the band. And clearly when you’ve got a busload of Grateful Dead (members) who have been inducted and guys in the Chili Peppers who nobody knows who they are because they played on the very earliest albums are inducted…The list goes on and on of the inconsistencies. Now, I’m not pointing fingers at any of those people, but I’m certainly pointing a finger at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The only consistencies are inconsistencies and the rules clearly are there are no rules because the criteria for how and who gets in is purely based upon a personal like or dislike. And when I feel we’re being treated unfairly, I have issues with that.”

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation CEO Joel Peresman says that the decision about who to induct from any band is made by the Rock Hall’s nominating committee as well as an adjunct group of “scholars and historians” familiar with specific inductees and genres. “This isn’t chemistry or physics; it’s not an exact science,” Peresman acknowledges. “Sometimes there’s an entire body of work up until (the artists) are inducted, other times it’s a specific period of time that established the band as who they are. With KISS there wasn’t one person here who didn’t agree that the reason Kiss was nominated and is being inducted was because of what was established in the ’70s with Ace (Frehley), with Peter (Criss), with Paul and Gene (Simmons). That’s what put them on that map.”

Peresman adds that KISS “is a unique situation where you have artists who wear makeup as part of what the band’s about,” but the Rock Hall felt that the later members — including current guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer, who are wearing Frehley and Criss’ makeup, respectively — “are fine musicians who…basically have the same makeup and are the same characters that Ace and Peter started. It’s not like they created these other characters with different makeup and playing different songs. They took the persona of characters that were created by Ace and Peter.” Persman notes that last year Heart was in a similar position, where the Rock Hall chose to induct the original ’70s sextet and not later musicians that played in the band.

But Stanley feels the situation with KISS is a bit more personal. “That it’s 14 years on (of eligibility) and we’re getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a clear indication that the people who hide behind that moniker don’t like us, but it reached a point where it was so absurd and ludicrous (to exclude Kiss) that they caved,” he says. “It’s like them swallowing a teaspoon of medicine they don’t want. It’s a bitter pill for them to swallow, so they’re making it as small as possible.”

Stanley says that the Rock Hall asked KISS to perform as the original quartet, in make-up, but he and Simmons — who have been playing with three-time KISS member Singer again since 2002 and Thayer since 2004 — were not confident the performance would be up to standard. “Honestly, I don’t want to roll the dice and possibly negatively impact on what I personally have been involved in building for 40 years,” he explains. “I have too much invested at this point. It really is a can of worms that I feel is better off left closed.” Peresman, meanwhile, says the Rock Hall has no plans for a performance stand-in for Kiss at the ceremony. “We have other artists, other inductees showing up and performing when they can,” Peresman says. “We’re very hopeful that Ace and Peter and Paul and Gene come and accept their award. We’re obviously honored to have them inducted.”

Good for you Joel. Well said. Let me see, Paul, you wanted Tommy and Eric inducted but because the Hall wouldn’t cave to your tantrums and aggression, so you decided to continue to be the ultimate drama queen by refusing to play with Ace & Peter. See Paul, adults don’t act like that when they don’t get what they want. You, as a musician for Kiss, are used to getting what you want and are not very diplomatic when the results don’t go your way, are you? For all that is said about Ace and Peter, I haven’t heard a single gripe or demand other than being very disappointed about you trying to punish them because you didn’t get what you want. BTW, your live twitter responses calling people “morons” for expressing their opinions on the hall are disgusting. Like Joel, the induction isn’t physics, so live with their decision and stop being a sore loser.

Total bullshit argument. All members should be in. There is no justification for it, sorry. Hearing that explanation from Joel Peresman I am now convinced he is just messing with them. Because any explanation he gives is trumped by previous inductees. Why did the Chili Peppers early members go in? And I’m not talking Jack Irons who was a around for multiple albums and tours.
Eric Carr came in and wore his own makeup, created his own persona, and kept the band going.
Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer have been in the band for very long stretches. Sorry, you need to put them all in.

Working as personal bodyguard (77-80) was a trip. Gene would fire peeps at the drop of a hat. When he screwed up, everyone was wrong, in his eyes.. $ is all Gene is about and Paul just goes along.. They should all be there or be square. Gene, get a grip and stop being a pu–y!!

Ed says Paul and Gene made them dress, impersonate, act and play in the confines of what someone else created.

Ed,
i dont know what your thinking but Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer are not impersonating Ace and Peter.
All they are doing is wearing The Space and Catman makeup. You really think Eric Singer is trying to play like Peter Criss?? LOL Eric and Tommy dont move or act like Ace and Peter at all. Once again Ed Trunk comes out with WRONG information!!!

I know I am going to rue the day I ever made this statement (lol), but from an outsider looking in with no vested interest, it appears to me that there is no difference between the current line up of KISS and a tribute band, except for now, the tribute band contains two original members.

As Simmons has admitted in the press, at some point both he and Stanley will retire. He stated that they plan to “franchise” their images, allowing the band to continue on without any original members, and therefore in essence, creating an “official” KISS tribute band.

Dana, as a diehard Kiss fan with a VERY vested interest (I own the pinball machine, for cryin’ out loud), you are absolutely CORRECT about the current “Kiss” just being a tribute band. I stopped following the current incarnation the second they made the decision to have the new guys copy Peter and Ace, as it went against everything I felt the band was about: a celebration of individuality. These were originally personas representing the people behind them, and now they’re just “characters” that anyone can play. All they represent now is a corporation, like Mayor McCheese represents McDonald’s. Thinking about it, though, there’s one thing I’d disagree with Eddie about: while I think it’s wrong for the hall to exclude everyone but the original line-up, I do think it’s okay to pick and choose among the rest. Clearly, Eric Carr and Bruce Kulick contributed far more than Mark St. John, who just played lead guitar on (most) of one album and barely played any live shows with them. I’d also exclude Thayer, because as so many others have pointed out, he just copies Ace and doesn’t have an original bone in his body. I think the inductees should be Stanley, Simmons, Criss, Frehley, Carr, Vincent, Kulick and Singer (the latter for his early 90s non-makeup work with the band). Just my two cents, I guess…

Hey “Bob,” “Abner Devereaux,” and your many other personas on this site,

I have tried to be nice to you, both on the site and off, but it seems there is no reasoning on a mature level with a knucklescraper and a s-stirrer.

Not that I owe you an explanation, but yes, I did see KISS live once on their reunion tour in ’96 at MSG. The only reason I went was because I got duped into thinking this was a farewell reunion tour, and as a rock fan, not necessarily a KISS fan, I naively thought that this would be my only opportunity to see the original line-up. In addition, I own one album, Creatures of the Night, which I have had for decades and I am an Eric Carr fan.

I am entitled to my opinion as much as anyone, and quite frankly, are surprised by level of immaturity shown by you and some other KISS trolls on here. The amount of drama surrounding this band makes some WB shows looks masculine. As a woman, I am embarrassed and ashamed by a cross section of men fighting over this like a group of pre-pubescent teens fighting over a pair of Justin Beiber’s underwear, meow.

Remember, I have a nice trash button that I can use on your comments anytime I wish, so I suggest you start showing Eddie, myself and the other posters on this site some respect or your piehole will shut permanently, commprendez-vous? Or would you prefer that I send you this message in a language you might better understand like pictographs?

Finally, I would like to apologize to everyone else for my somewhat snide tone. I really try to be fair, and conduct myself like a lady both online and in my life, but sometimes the posters seem to make that a difficult task.

If you have an issue with something that I have posted, please feel free to e-mail me. I really don’t think the comments section on this site is the appropriate place for public mudslinging.

That might be the most intelligent, well reasoned thought posted since all this stuff happened. Have nothing but mad respect for what both you and Eddie do for rock fans all over the world. There are many more of us who are Kiss fans but don’t drink the Kool Aid Gene and Paul have been serving. They are acting like spoiled kids over this. Pentending to be Peter doesn’t speak to Eric’s ability as a drummer. Tommy pretending to be Ace doesn’t speak to his talent as a guitarist. Just means they collect a paycheck for pretending every night. Its their right. The last two cds Kiss released didn’t sell. The fans aren’t buying what they are selling and for the second huge tour in a row, they will have to take a band that still draws, Def Leppard (like Motley Crue in 2012) to get fans to come out. And it will be the same result, Kiss will get destroyed much like they did in 2012. It is over for them. Just the facts, BTW Monster is worst Kiss CD EVER

No flames here Dana…two questions for you and Eddie… 1. If Eric Carr had not died I believe the originals would never have reunited, what do you think? 2. If Kiss had not continued on after Ace and Peter left and there was no unmasked era, would they be inducted into the RRHOF? I’m not sure of my answer but I say yes…just asking and EDDIE I WANT YOUR ANSWERS TOO!! Come on man this is good banter for TMS TOO..haha!! Thanks Dana…

I LOVED Eric Carr, but Kiss was struggling hugely. THAT is why the reunion happened! NO band reunited if it means LESS people. Younger fans have no clue how bad off Kiss was for a long time as a draw with any lineup.
For sure they would still go in. This is all about the 70’s when they were the biggest band in the world!

I have to profess that my knowledge of KISS is limited to the small experiences that I previously wrote about, plus seeing the Animalize concert on VHS, where Mr. Carr performed a butt kicking rendition of Young and Wasted. So, I don’t think that I possess enough knowledge to properly answer your questions, so I defer to Eddie. However, I do think KISS might have made it in eventually, even if there was no unmasked era, because many other bands have cited them as an influence. But, who knows? Deep Purple is still awaiting induction and they were very influential.

Also, in the future, if you should ever want to pick my brain about Judas Priest or John Sykes, I think I am a bit more qualified to answer those types of inquiries-LOL!

I can definitely see the Hall of Fame’s viewpoint because it was the original lineup and the stuff they did in the 1970’s that put them on the map than any other lineup. However, if we’re talking members who had their own personas then I’ve said from the beginning that both Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent should be inducted as well. I can see Ace and Peter agreeing with the Hall of Fame’s viewpoint, but Paul and Gene are on the other side of the fence.

The current lineup is a joke! Not that Thayer and Singer aren’t talented, but you would have thought they’d at least have a problem posing as former members (money must be good). Paul and Gene have always been the boat captains of that ship, it’s never been a democracy. I do agree that the original lineup is the right one to induct because of their huge influence. Not to say that Bruce Kulick isn’t a kick ass guitarist or that Eric Carr wasn’t a beast on drums, they both were great in their own rights. With all the sower grapes and blubbering come from the other side, it would be great to see Peter and Ace team up with various musicians and do set for the fans. I’m sure they wouldn’t have any problems finding musicians who were influenced by both of them! I can’t imagine many people picked up a bass or guitar due to Gene or Paul’s playing…

Hold on – Vinnie and Eric had different personas and Bruce never wore makeup and I don’t think St. John did either – so why are they not being inducted?? Why is nobody standing up for Eric and Mark?? If Paul and Gene were decent – they would – but all they care about is the present members and the deceased members are cast off like ex wives.

Another idiot with zero knowledge…they are not playing because they are standing up for all of the other players, not just Tommy and Eric jackass…unbelievable the amount of morons who comment about KISS who have no clue….and that goes for the Paul and Gene following sheep too…All sides have points but there are plenty of reasons to have issue with Ace, Peter, Gene or Paul over the years that to rip any of them for stuff that just isn’t true is absurd…

We can go forever about this situation. KISS is an institution that should be recognized. The problem also is that there have been on occasion of un-credited musicians who have put their stamp on the finished product, in which, should be honored as well! With that being said, KISS would NOT be where they are WITHOUT the fans (ie.., albums, condoms, cologne and caskets).. So for that reason…, that’s why they SHOULD play the Hall Of Fame! As a celebration of years of support between the band and the fans.

Let’s be honest. Whether the RNRHOF or KISS got their way on who is or is not allowed to perform, they’d likely perform yet another uninspired version of Rock N Roll Night which no one with ears needs to hear. I am a 30 year KISS fan. My loyalty, much like Trunk’s, has waned over the last decade or so. They’ve won me back a little with their latest albums, especially Monster, but this whole situation is absurd.

If Paul and Gene (and possibly the RNRHOF) are sincere when they say this matters only for the fans, they’ve done a hell of a job of making the entire experience one that I wish would just go away.

There is no denying Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer are exceptional musicians. But when you march Repl”ace”ment Frehley on a stage don’t get pissed at people for not buying into it.

I hope HALL N’ OATES does OUT OF TOUCH. That is one of my favorites. Maybe the rapping mice from that ugly car’s commercial could stand in and do: AND THEN SHE KISSED ME, BABY DRIVER and Gene’s version of FIRESTARTER.

Edward, from what I have been reading they want ALL members actually inducted. Thayer and Singer are just getting more attention in the stories because the hall of fame wants KISS to perform with the original members instead of them. To which Gene and Paul are responding no they will not perform without them. All in all an admirable position I think.

I’m very disappointed by the turn of events in the upcoming KISS Hall induction. OK, like it or not, KISS is not planning a performance at the ceremony. I am curious about one thing, though. The Hall rep made it sound like they aren’t planning on booking someone else to perform on behalf of KISS. It sounds like they want it to be KISS or nothing at all. Hmm, seems odd to me. When Black Sabbath was inducted, the band sat in the audience as Mettalica played for them. Phish played for Genesis, even though all the members (minus Peter Gabriel) were in attendance. Lastly, Iggy Pop performed at Madonna’s induction. Really HOF!?! If KISS won’t perform, let some other artist or band honor them with a short tribute. Perhaps get a band that was heavily influenced by KISS. A KISS induction with no music of any kind would be a real shame. It’s quite apparent that the Hall is struggling with a KISS induction. It’s taken 14 years for it to happen, and it’s still doing the bare minimum. Pathetic! I have loved rock and roll my whole life, and have supported the Hall for years. That said, your mistreatment of bands such as KISS, Rush, Neil Diamond and Hall & Oates (long overdue inductions) illustrates just how out of touch the Hall really is. I respect what Jann Wenner did with the founding of Rolling Stone, but as the head of the Hall, he’s been a HUGE disappointment. Rock and roll is for the masses, not an elite group for some fortunate few to play with, inducting their favorites and ignoring those they don’t like, no matter how successful and influential that band or person may be.

All I know is that DEF LEPPARD is longgggg overdue to be inducted in The Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame, just like KISS was. Hoping you start promoting DL a little bit more Eddie in terms of them being inducted. By the way, this Watchung, NJ native now at in So.Cal, appreciates all u do.

Eddie, I think you’re missing the point. You’re agreeing with the RRHOF now when they have shown repeatedly that they do not used standardized, objective criteria for inducting bands/lineups and are not open about the voting and the voters. You, rightfully, have bashed the RRHOF for that in the past. But now their subjective criteria on the makeup is fine with you? You have said many times that you were friends with Eric Carr. You’ve also had Bruce Kulick on TMS. Are their contributions not worthy of induction? They played on multiple gold and platinum selling albums. They were in the band for long periods of time. Vinnie Vincent contributed as a writer/performer at a critical time. Even Singer and Thayer have now had long tenures. So, what’s the criteria? As a fan and as an advocate for the fans and for these past/present members whom you are close with, you have a platform to make your voice heard, and you should be fighting for ALL of them because their contributions deserve it. OR, do you think those other members don’t deserve to be inducted? Were their contributions minimal? If you think they were minimal, then say so. I’m sure they would appreciate the honesty. But it seems that by agreeing with the RRHOF’s reasoning, that a subjective matter of the original makeup is the adequate criteria to judge induction. We can agree that new characters would be cool (and probably make KISS a million dollars), but something like that cannot be an objective standard on which to judge the contributions of the other lineups.

Let’s put it another way….what criteria would YOU use if you had a vote? Would it be, if a member simply played on a studio album? Would it be if they played on a Gold Record? Or a Platinum Record? Would it be years of service in a band, regardless of album sales? Would it be total sales while a member? Would it be writing credits? It needs to be objectively based.

Let us, all of us, push for the inclusion of the band, not based on makeup, but on actual objective reasoning and demand that standardized criteria be put in place by the RRHOF. Otherwise, it is an illegitimate institution and the induction means nothing.

Not really a good Kiss album after Lick it Up as far as I’m concered….the tune ” Hide Your Heart ” was on Hair Nation in the car the other day and my Girl says” Who is that? …that’s the worst garbage I’ve ever heard”….Hahahahaha

I sort see the point of the HOF- Ace, Peter, Gene & Paul were the springboard for KISS.

While makeup was pertinent in them becoming who they were and are today, it would make more sense to induct the original members, since current members are merely shadow puppets of the original Ace and Peter.

With the points brought up, it would make sense to induct Eric Carr since he was big contributor and had his own identity. Vinnie Vincent too, while he wasn’t with the band long, he brought credible song writing skills and had his own personae.

It’s not the Mark St John, Bruce Kulick and the current members aren’t important, but makeup made KISS what they were, During the 80’s they were just another ‘hair’ band.

It was a tough call for the Hall- but I sort of understand why they did it.

I’m really wondering about this year’s induction ceremony. KISS has opted to NOT perform. Linda Ronstadt can’t sing because of Parkinson’s, and Kurt Cobain is dead. Who knows what Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam will do? Aside from Hall & Oates and Peter Gabriel, who’s actually going to be performing at the ceremony?

this was my post on the trunk report a few weeks ago, you took my lines John C Harrison, come up with your on stuff. I’ve been a fan of Kiss since i bought my first record in 75 but i can’t stand to see Eric and Tommy playing in the makeup. Paul just wants the current line up to play and if it doesn’t, then he is like LUcy, takes his football and goes home.

Gene and Paul always say KISS is about and for the fans. Well I and all the fans I know want to see the original line play! We all know they (most likely $$$) will never reunite to form the band again, but give this night to the fans! Nothing against Singer, he’s a lord. Thayer might be talented but is a puke!

That argument from the Hall doesn’t make any sense. Eric Carr & Vinny Vincent had their own personas & yet they’re not being inducted. So, how can they say that Eric Singer & Tommy Thayer stood a better chance if they had created their own characters? Total crap from the Hall! Their rules are so arbitrary. If Robert Trujillo could be inducted after only 1 cd w/Metallica then there’s no reason for any KISS member, past or present, to be excluded ’cause they’ve all appeared on at least 1 cd.

I’m just waiting to see the 4 of them standing next to each other….Gene & Paul on one side looking all moody/buisness like and boasting about, “this is for…..THE FANS” & on the other Ace & Peter with huge smiles on their faces loving the moment etc: For years Gene & Paul have bitched about not being in the Hall of Fame, now they are in and are PISSED OFF more than before. Like the saying goes…..be careful what you wish for. Joe in The Cuse. P.S. Don’t mess with DANA

Actually, Joe, they haven’t been ticked off. They have dismissed their snub from the HOF for so long by saying it doesn’t matter and that its no big deal, etc. Now, that they are in, they all of a sudden care about all aspects of it. You knew that they cared even when they said they didn’t.

I’ll probably get pilloried for this but, as a diehard metal fan who is also a huge fan of the Grateful Dead (and Richard Wagner, Miles Davis, George Strait, etc.) Paul was way off base when he said “In the Grateful Dead’s case, (they) also inducted a writer who never played an instrument,” said Stanley, referring to Robert Hunter’s inclusion when the band was inducted in 1994. ”

The inductees from the Dead are listed below. Robert Hunter, while never playing an instrument, is the key lyricist for the band for the vast majority of their songs including Truckin’, Playin in the Band, Terrapin Station, Dark Star, Terrapin Station and Touch of Grey. While Garcia, Weir, Lesh et al created the amazing music that accompanies these lyrics, without Hunter there is no Grateful Dead. All of the other inductees that non-Deadheads may find unfamiliar still contributed significantly the band’s canon at one time or another.

The same cannot be said for Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer. Both are talented musicians but they have made no contributions to the songs that made KISS the legends that they are other than to perform them in a live setting. As others have said above, the whole point would be moot if Eric and Tommy had developed their own characters rather than impersonate Peter and Ace.
—
Grateful Dead Inductees: Tom Constanten (keyboards; born March 19, 1944), Jerry Garcia (guitar, vocals; born August 1, 1942, died August 9, 1995), Donna Godchaux (vocals; born August 22, 1945), Keith Godchaux (keyboards; born July 14, 1948, died July 21, 1980), Mickey Hart (drums, percussion; born September 11, 1943), Robert Hunter (lyricist; born June 23, 1941), Bill Kreutzmann (drums; born April 7, 1946), Phil Lesh (bass, vocals; born March 15, 1940), Ron “Pigpen” McKernan (keyboards, harmonica, vocals; born September 8, 1945, died March 8, 1973), Brent Mydland (keyboards, vocals; born October 21, 1952, died July 26, 1990), Bob Weir (guitar, vocals; born October 16, 1947), Vince Welnick (keyboards; born February 22, 1951, died June 2, 2006). – See more at: http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-grateful-dead/bio/#sthash.k7ltDbNk.dpuf

The R & R H o F argument makes total sense. The only lineup to matter and have an impact on the world of music is the original lineup. After that, when the makeup came off, they became an average joe band not unlike many other decent but not necessarily great hair bands. None of those bands will ever be in the H o F, and neither should any of the latter lineups of KISS…

Paul and Gene don’t seem to realize that when they lie abut things like multi platinum album sales its easy to look that stuff up, they haven’t gone platinum since Hot in the Shade in the late 80s, if that’s they’re criteria, i.d be fine with Bruce going into the hall

Except that Platinum Albums are not part of the criteria. In fact, according to Peresman, the criteria is “influence” (whatever that means) and who wore the original character makeup. If a concrete measurement of quality like Platinum Albums was used, then Kulick, Carr and Vincent would be inducted. See, that’s objective criteria for induction. But the RRHOF doesn’t have any standardized criteria. If they did, then there’d never be any controversy for any band/lineup. The problem isn’t Gene and Paul. The problem is the lack of transparent voting and standardized criteria used by Wenner and his cronies.

Does this mean Steve Perry won’t make it to the RnR HOF too, he wasn’t an original Journey member,but as stupid minded as they are Journey or Deep Purple won’t ever make it in,crap that means Gillan and Glover Coverdale and Hughes are out too,none of them were original members of DP either!!

The RRHOF will say that Gillan and Glover had “influence” and will induct the Mark II lineup. They’ll then say Hughes/Coverdale Mark III version and all subsequent and prior versions had no “influence” and dismiss them as they’ve done to the other KISS lineups. The lack of criteria and transparency by the RRHOF invalidates all these inductions and the institution.

Oh, I agree DP is the better band. But the RRHOF is not putting in Satriani, Bolin, Joe Lynn Turner, Don Airey, and Steve Morse. They’re going to say that either they didn’t play on influential albums or were not in the band long enough. And then we’ll all be back here arguing again and Wenner and company will be laughing at the fans….again. Or maybe they will put them all in if they put Trujillo in with Metallica. But that brings us back the snubs of the KISS members. :/

Eddie Truck made a very valid point on That Metal Show,if this group had been inducted when they should have ,the original line up was together then….The R&RHOF is real good at not noticing real talent and sidelining things.There are still groups that it is a travesty that they were not inducted years ago and some acts have no right being there.

The only “magic” I would love to see is Ace,Peter,Paul &Gene come together at this EPIC Ceremony and & show respect to each other. Ace & Peter won’t have a problem with that but the other 2 I’m afraid will. This WHOLE situation is so classless on the part of Gene & Paul. Joe in The Cuse. P.S. Dana your DA MAN…….THE WOOOOMAN!!

it was totally one. Nothing cooler than a lady who knows how to rock. There is nothing else more enjoyable for me discussing music and having her understand everything I am saying I am not one of those mean posters, if I am going to take time to write I try to make sure I have my facts straight before I speak. Try to limit my foot in mouth episodes.
LOL

somebody said eric and tommy arent trying to copy ace and peter,bullshit!i seen them ONE time on tour with aerosmith,kiss was terrible,areosmith rocked the crowd!ive seen kiss dozens of times with ace and peter,no comparsion.i wont be wasting my money on new tour!!

The Rock and Roll Hall of Shame makes me want to puke. Please get Rock and Roll out of the name since most of the artists have nothing to do with Rock and Roll. And to quote Eddie (paraphrasing) – if they would have inducted Kiss when they first became eligible – which they should have – none of this drama would even be happening!

I believe Kiss should be inducted as a band, period, end of story, BUT the dipsticks @ the RNRHOF have done this to other bands previously so Paul would be incorrect that they are just picking on Kiss.(might be some truth if Kiss was the 1st band to have this happen to them.)
Still, going on MUSIC ALONE, there is NO DOUBT that the four ORIGINAL members made the BEST MUSIC in KISSTORY. PEOS
Although Creatures & Carnival are a couple of my faves, nothing they’ve done since the originals broke up comes even close. ALL KISS Army would agree I think?

Never was a fan of Carnival. Dunno why, just didn’t work for me. I would add Revenge to your list. Although not a popular disc, I was a fan of Asylum. The ‘non singles’ on that album worked for me. Creatures of the Night however is without doubt one of the best albums any version of KISS ever made. It’s my #2 of KISS albums and I grew up with them in the 70’s.